Norway Blames Russian Hackers for April Dam Cyberattack

Norway has officially accused Russian hackers of sabotaging a dam in the western municipality of Bremanger in April. Beate Gangaas, head of the PST security police agency, confirmed that pro-Russian cyber actors took control of the dam on April 7, opening a floodgate and releasing 500 litres of water per second for four hours before the breach was detected and stopped. No injuries were reported.

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This is the first time Oslo has directly attributed the cyberattack to Russia. The dam is part of Norway’s extensive hydropower network, which generates most of the country’s electricity. Authorities have long warned of potential threats to this critical infrastructure, especially given the nation’s key role as Europe’s largest gas supplier.

Gangaas said the attack’s goal was to instill fear and chaos among the public, adding that Norway’s “Russian neighbour has become more dangerous.” The Russian embassy in Oslo has not responded to the accusations.

The incident comes as NATO-member Norway, which shares a border with Russia in the Arctic, continues to strongly support Ukraine. It also follows similar warnings from British intelligence about alleged Russian sabotage operations in Europe aimed at discouraging nations from backing Ukraine in its war with Moscow.

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Norwegian intelligence says the dam sabotage reflects a broader shift in Russian cyber operations. Over the past year, authorities have recorded a rise in activity from pro-Russian hacking groups targeting infrastructure and institutions in countries supporting Ukraine. Gangaas described these attacks as part of a strategy to influence societies and sow instability.

The April incident at Bremanger is a stark example of how cyber warfare can impact physical infrastructure. By briefly controlling the dam’s systems, the hackers were able to manipulate water flow, potentially risking property damage and threatening public confidence in safety measures. While the damage was contained, the breach exposed vulnerabilities in Norway’s energy sector.

After her public remarks, Gangaas told Reuters that she went public with the accusation to raise awareness and deter future attacks. She urged Norwegians to be prepared for more attempts, stressing that the country’s close proximity to Russia and its role in European energy supply make it a likely target.

Norway’s reliance on hydropower and its vast gas pipeline network under the North Sea mean any disruption could have serious consequences for both domestic stability and European energy security. Intelligence services say strengthening cyber defenses is now a top priority.